Day 23 Picks – The Troy

In Monday’s featured Tenski, our top pick, Hillhouse High, lagged well behind a pedestrian pace. She made a big move around the turn and looked like she might get there in the stretch but in the end, finished third at odds of 5-1. It was a good effort, but alas, not one that led her to the winner’s circle.

Before I get to today’s pick, a couple thoughts on the news that Larry Collmus will be introduced as NYRA’s new racecaller today.

Collmus is solid, but in my opinion, unspectacular. He rarely makes mistakes in identifying horses and is very fundamentally sound. But I’m not sure he has that flair for the dramatic. Of course, no one can fully replace Tom Durkin, a true legend in his field. But I don’t know, I think Collmus is just a little bit on the dull side.

As I’ve said before, my choice would have been John Dooley, the outstanding racecaller at Arlington and the Fairgrounds.

NYRA certainly could have done worse than Larry Collmus, that’s for sure. It’s not surprising that he got the nod, since he is the voice of the Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup. But his selection doesn’t really get the blood flowing.

It was supposed to rain a lot in the Capital Region overnight and all day today. As of now, that torrential rain has not materialized but it’s still in the forecast. I’m approaching this race with the hunch that the race will be run on the main track. NYRA said they will decide on the Troy Stakes at 11:30 a.m.

If that’s the case, DADS CAPS is a standout. He won the Grade I Carter back in the spring in the third start of a form cycle, the same situation he is in today. This will be the shortest race of his career, but he has ample speed and will look to wire the field on the wet track.

SPRING TO THE SKY also has good speed and has run well on an off track in the past. He keeps the meet’s leading jockey and looks for a third consecutive win.

SANDY’Z SLEW is a flier at 15-1. He ran a career-best in the slop in May and has been competitive this year, albeit against statebreds.

If the race remains on the turf, TIGHTEND TOUCHDOWN will be formidable. He just missed in a Grade III last time out.